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Meditation can improve creative thinking, raise energy levels, and lower stress.
冥想可以增進創意的思維、提升能量等級並且減輕壓力。

  Upon the mention of the word meditation, most people picture a spiritualperson sitting in the lotus position with their eyes closed and in a state ofcomplete Zen. Contrary _(1)_ this perception, meditation is so much more than this stereotypical image. The practice of being mindful can be done sitting as described above or in a more _(2)_ way with prayer beads and chanting. In fact, it can even be done _(3)_ one is going through one's usual day-to-day activities, such as walking to work, waiting for the bus, and even having a meal.
  In broad terms, meditation is the internal practice of training one's mind toregulate all the noise, desires, and problems in one's life. On one _(4)_, it can be as simple as trying to clear the mind to ease the body. On the other, it can require the individual to generate a problematic emotional state like anger or hatred in order to analyzeacknowledge, and _(5)_ it. Being mindful can be challenging at times, but with a bit of training and regular practice, one can cultivate a more peaceful life while simultaneously enjoying its _(6)_.
  For many people, meditation does to the mind what working out does to the body, _(7)_ it stronger and more flexible. Countless studies have shown that practicing mindfulness can lower blood pressure, increase one's pain threshold,aid in weight loss, facilitate _(8)_ sleep at night, and enhance one's ability to becompassionate. Additionally, meditation helps people get a handle on anxiety,addiction, _(9)_, eating disorders, and stress in particular. By having more _(10)_ over the brain, people are able to find peace with the powerful practice of meditation.

(A) depression (B) while (C) sounder (D) control (E) to
(F) hand (G) making (H) benefits (I) active (J) release

 
  1. Contrary to this perception, meditation is so much more than this stereotypical image.
    理由:
    a. 本題測試下列固定用法:
    contrary to...  與……相反(的是)
    Contrary to popular belief, that country is very safe to travel in.
    和一般認知不同的是,到那個國家旅遊是很安全的。
    b. 根據上述,(E) 項應為正選。
  2. ... or in a more active way with prayer beads and chanting.
    理由:
    a. 空格前有可修飾形容詞或副詞的 more,空格後有名詞 way(方法),可知空格應置形容詞的原級來修飾 way。
    b. 選項中符合上述的僅有 (I) active(積極的;起作用的),置入後亦符合語意,故為正選。
    c. active a. 主動的,積極(參與)的;精力充沛的
    passive a. 消極的,被動的
    My grandmother remained healthy and active until she was 80 years old.
    我祖母在八十歲高齡以前還一直很健康且精力充沛。
    Sandy plays a passive role in the group.
    珊蒂在那個團體中扮演被動的角色。
  3. In fact, it can even be done while one is going through one's usual day-to-day activities, such as...
    理由:
    a. 空格前後各有一完整子句,得知空格須置連接詞,否則會形成兩子句無連接詞連接的錯誤句構。
    While you were in the meeting, your wife called.
    你開會的時候,你太太打電話過來。
    b. 根據上述,僅 (B) 項為連接詞,故應為正選。
  4. On one hand, it can be as simple as trying to clear the mind to ease the body. On the other,...
    理由:
    a. 本題測試下列固定用法:
    on (the) one hand,... on the other (hand),...  一方面,……另一方面,……
    On one hand, I like the restaurant, but on the other, I think it's too expensive.
    我一方面喜歡那家餐廳,但另一方面又覺得它太貴。
    b. 根據上述,(F) 項應為正選。
  5. ... require the individual to generate a problematic emotional state like anger or hatred in order to analyze, acknowledge, and release it.
    理由:
    a. 空格前有原形動詞 analyze(分析)、acknowledge(承認)及對等連接詞 and,而空格後又有作受詞的代名詞 it,得知空格也應置原形及物動詞,以形成對等。
    b. 選項中符合上述的有 (D) control(控制)及(J) release(釋放),惟 (J) 項置入後符合語意,故為正選。
    c. release vt. 釋放(情感),發洩
    Laughing is a wonderful way to release tension.
    大笑是舒緩緊張情緒的好方法。
  6. ..., one can cultivate a more peaceful life while simultaneously enjoying itsbenefits.
    理由:
    a. 空格前有所有格 its(它的),得知空格應置名詞,作為 enjoying(享受)的受詞。
    b. 選項中為名詞的有 (A) depression(憂鬱症)、(D) control(控制)以及 (H) benefits(益處),惟根據語意,(H) 項置入後符合,故為正選。
    c. benefit 
    n. 益處 & vt. 使受益 & vi. 受益
    The doctor said I would benefit from a long vacation.
    醫生說休個長假對我有益。
  7. ... meditation does to the mind what working out does to the body, making it stronger and more flexible.
    理由:
    a. 本句原為 meditation does to the mind what working out does to the body, which makes it stronger and more flexible. 可將關係代名詞 which 省略後,再將一般動詞 makes 變成現在分詞 making,即化簡成本句。
    Susan came to the office really late this morning, proving that she is never punctual.
    蘇珊今天早上很晚才進辦公室,證明她從沒準時過。
    b. 根據上述,(G) 項應為正選。
  8. ... practicing mindfulness can lower blood pressure, increase one's pain threshold, aid in weight loss, facilitate sounder sleep at night, and enhance one's ability to be compassionate.
    理由:
    a. 空格前有及物動詞 facilitate(幫助),空格後又有名詞 sleep(睡眠),得知空格應置形容詞。
    b. 選項中僅剩 (C) 項的比較級形容詞 sounder(較充足的),置入後亦符合語意,故為正選。
    c. sound a.(睡眠)穩定的,熟睡的
    After eating a lot of turkey, Peter was in a sound sleep.
    吃完很多火雞肉後,彼得睡得很熟。
  9. Additionally, meditation helps people get a handle on anxiety, addiction,depression, eating disorders, and stress in particular.
    理由:
    a. 空格前有名詞 anxiety(焦慮)、addiction(成
    癮),空格後有名詞詞組 eating disorders(飲食障礙),及對等連接詞 and,得知空格應置名詞,與其他名詞詞組形成對等。
    b. 選項中為名詞的有 (A) depression(憂鬱症)及(D) control(控制),惟 (A) 項置入後符合語意,故為正選。
    c. depression n. 沮喪,憂鬱(症)
    Steve has been suffering from depression since his wife passed away.
    史蒂夫自從太太過世後,便飽受憂鬱症的折磨。
  10. By having more control over the brain, people are able to find peace...
    理由:
    a. 本題測試下列固定用法:
    have control over / of...  掌控∕支配……
    For the most part, we all have control over our lives.
    大體而言,我們都能掌握自己的人生。
    b. 根據上述用法,(D) 項應為正選。
  1. mindfulness n. 留神,注意
    being mindful  禪
    mindful a. 留心的,注意的
  2. meditation n. 冥想;沉思
  3. mention n. & vt. 提及,說到
  4. picture vt. 想像
  5. a lotus position  盤腿式打坐
    lotus n. 蓮花
  6. stereotypical a. 傳統印象中的
    stereotype n. 刻板印象
  7. practice n. 練習;做法
  8. prayer beads  念珠
    prayer n. 懇求,祈願
    bead n. 珠子
  9. chanting n. 誦經;吟頌,詠唱
  10. day-to-day a. 日常的,例行性的
  11. internal a. 內部的
    external a. 外部的,外面的
  12. ease vt. 減輕,緩和
  13. problematic a. 有問題的
  14. emotional a. 情緒(上)的,情感(上)的
  15. hatred n. 憎恨
  16. analyze vt. 分析
  17. simultaneously adv. 同時
  18. flexible a. 可彎曲的;有彈性的
  19. threshold n. 臨界點,門檻
  20. enhance vt. 提高,增加
  21. compassionate a. 富同情心的,表示憐憫的
  22. anxiety n. 焦慮
  23. addiction n. 上癮
    drug addiction  毒癮
  24. disorder n.(身體機能上的)失調,疾病
  1. at times  有時,偶爾
    sometimes
  2. work out  健身;運動;做訓練
  3. in particular  特別地,尤其地
    particularly adv.
    especially
  1. spiritual a. 宗教上的;精神上的
    Beth enjoys having material possessions but neglects her spiritual needs.
    貝絲喜愛物質享受,卻忽略了精神需求。
  2. in a state of...  處於……的狀態∕情況
    state n. 狀態(其前通常與介詞 in 並用)
    The dogs were in a state of panic because they knew they were going to the vet.
    那些狗兒處於極度不安的狀態,因為牠們知道自己要被送往獸醫那裡了。
  3. perception n. 看法,認知;察覺
    perceive vt. 察覺(= notice);認為
    perceive A as B  把 A 認為是 B
    Dogs can perceive sounds too high-pitched for humans to hear.
    狗能察覺到人類無法聽到的高音。
    Gossip magazines are often perceived as superficial entertainment.
    八卦雜誌通常被認為是膚淺的娛樂。
  4. regulate vt. 控制,規定
    The Chinese government regulates the Internet so that people won't see inappropriate material.
    中國政府管制網路,讓人們不會看到不當的內容。
  5. generate vt. 產生
    This big project will generate a lot of new jobs.
    這項重大計劃會帶來很多新工作。
  6. acknowledge vt. 承認
    Paul acknowledged that the child was his.
    保羅承認這個小孩是他的。
  7. cultivate vt. 改善;培養
    cultivate the habit of V-ing
    養成(做)……的習慣
    It is important to cultivate good relationships with your co-workers.
    和同事培養良好的關係很重要。
    Clay has cultivated the habit of reading English magazines since he was eight years old.
    克雷從八歲起就養成了閱讀英文雜誌的習慣。
  8. aid in...  協助……,在……方面幫助
    Mrs. Chang aided the students in finding a venue for their event.
    張太太找了些學生來幫助他們找活動場地。
  9. facilitate vt. 促進
    Ryan's detailed explanation facilitated my understanding of the situation.
    萊恩鉅細靡遺的解釋有助於我對情況的了解。

 

禪修
冥想可以增進創意的思維、提升能量等級並且減輕壓力。
  說到『冥想』這個字彙,大多數的人都會想像一個靈修的人以盤腿姿勢打坐,閉上雙眼進入一種完全禪修的狀態。其實與這種認知正好相反,冥想的意義遠遠超過其刻板印象。禪修可以像上面所說的坐著進行,或是搭配念珠及誦經等更積極的方式來進行。但是其實在日常的活動中,像是走路去上班、等公車時,甚至吃飯時都可以進行禪修。
  廣義而言,冥想是訓練個人內在心靈的做法,用來控制生活中所有外在的喧鬧聲、慾望以及難題。一方面,它可以是很單純的,就像試著將心靈淨化好讓身體放鬆一般。而另一方面,它可能需要個人引發出像是憤怒或憎恨的問題情緒狀態,以便能分析、辨別並將其釋放出來。『禪』有時相當有挑戰性,但是搭配一些訓練和經常的練習,便可養成一種更安寧平靜的生活,同時也能享受它所帶來的好處。
對很多人來說,冥想之於心靈就猶如運動之於身體,它能讓我們的心靈變得更堅強且更靈活。不計其數的研究顯示,練習『禪』可以降低血壓、增加對疼痛的忍耐力、幫助減肥、促進晚上較良好的睡眠品質以及增加一個人的慈悲心。此外,冥想也幫助人們處理焦慮、成癮、憂鬱、及飲食障礙等問題,尤其在調節壓力方面。藉由多掌控自己的大腦,人們就能運用強大的冥想方式找到平靜。

答案:1. E 2. I 3. B 4. F 5. J 6. H 7. G 8. C 9. A 10.D

資料來源:常春藤電子報

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